The Visitors
On a sweltering day in January 1788, seven clan leaders gather on a sandstone escarpment overlooking the harbour. The attendees, six of them Elders and one new initiate, catch-up, laugh together, share a meal and compare notes. But beyond the friendly banter, protocols, and hospitality, a momentous decision is waiting to be made.
A mysterious fleet of giant nawi is amassing in the harbour and as they creep closer, these seven representatives must choose unanimously: whether to send these strangers on their way or welcome them?
Having recently been awarded Best Mainstage Production and Best Ensemble at the 2023 Sydney Theatre Awards, Muruwari playwright Jane Harrison’s THE VISITORS embarks on a national tour directed by one of Australia’s most celebrated directors, Quandamooka man Wesley Enoch.
Co-produced by Moogahlin Performing Arts and Sydney Theatre Company, The Visitors is at once a riveting, deeply researched insight into one of the most impactful and painful days in Australia’s history, and a hugely entertaining study of how communities respond to change and the unknown.
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CONTENT WARNING: Infrequent coarse language, themes of racial violence, descriptions of violence, intergenerational trauma, and theatrical haze.
ABOUT MOOGAHLIN PERFORMING ARTS
Moogahlin Performing Arts was formed on Gadigal country in Redfern NSW in November 2007 by a group of First Peoples performance artists, educators, and community workers before being incorporated in 2009.
Moogahlin Performing Arts exists to:
- Develop and produce cross-cultural and interdisciplinary new performance work by First Peoples for First Peoples.
- Support emerging and established First Peoples practitioners to develop, create and produce innovative and stimulating work.
- Empower their communities through audience engagement and community development.
- Provide sector leadership by fostering new talent in key creative, administrative, and production roles.
ABOUT SYDNEY THEATRE COMPANY
Sydney Theatre Company (STC) has been a major force in Australian drama since its establishment in 1978. The Company presents an annual season at its own Harbourside venues and as the resident theatre company of Sydney Opera House.
Under the Artistic Direction of Kip Williams, STC produces works of scale and ambition that illuminate, entertain, and challenge. STC tours productions throughout Australia and internationally, playing annually to audiences of more than 300,000.
STC has launched and fostered the theatre careers of many of Australia’s internationally renowned artists including Cate Blanchett, Wayne Blair, Toni Collette, Deborah Mailman, Tim Minchin and Hugo Weaving.
CAST AND CREATIVE
Sean Dow as Gary
Stephen Geronimos as Gordon
Beau Dean Riley Smith as Albert
Dalara Williams as Wallace
John Blair as Joseph
James Slee as Lawrence
Zoe Walters as Jaky
Playwright Jane Harrison
Director Wesley Enoch
Remount Associate Director Aidan Rowlingson
Associate Director Liza-Mare Syron
Cultural Liaison Aunty Yvonne Simms
Let's Talk About Racism...
At PACC, we work hard to provide spaces that are inclusive and free from racism. This extends to our digital spaces, including our social media. Promotion of this event has resulted in comments that do not align with our ethos here at PACC, and will not be tolerated.
The following information and resources have been provided by leaders within the Aboriginal community to assist everyone, but particularly mob, with any racism that appears during the marketing campaign for this production.
Addressing Racism on Social Media
Addressing racism on social media requires understanding that users who spread racist misinformation do so differently, sometimes compounding multiple forms of racism in just one post.
Bystander intervention includes callouts, efforts to educate or offer proof, and content moderation.
Users can respond to racist misinformation by linking to external sources like the AIATSIS website; the Lowitja Institute website; or the IndigenousX website.
There are several techniques for combating online racism, but not all of them are equally effective. For instance, education and evidence-based or content-moderated discourse are prosocial techniques. These reactions to racist posts foster dialogue in the same way that they seek to debunk racist rhetoric.
Users who want to speak out against online racism must consider the purpose of their interactions. If they want to reduce the presence of racism on social media, they must keep in mind that certain approaches may have the opposite effect. Some methods, such as ridicule, and insults, are antisocial. These methods failed to minimize the hostility amongst users.
Silence and inaction do nothing but cause biased perpetrator behaviours to increase as they feel unquestioned. Targeted aggressions can have real consequences on Aboriginal people’s mental and physical health.
When bystanders step in and help to make aggressions visible, disarm the situation, educate the perpetrator, and seek external reinforcement or support, these approaches provide crucial support in preventing some of the most detrimental effects.
See more about how to deal with racism on social media on the ABC News website.
Reporting Racism
CALL IT OUT: A FIRST NATIONS RACISM REGISTER
Call It Out is a simple and secure way for people to report incidents of racism and discrimination towards First Nations Peoples. These reports are collected, held securely and analysed by Jumbunna Research to inform annual reports to help raise awareness and drive systematic change.
All reports of racism and discrimination can be made to Call It Out: anything that you feel is unfair or unjust towards First Nations People based on race can be reported (e.g. interpersonal or structural bias, prejudice, or discrimination). You can tell us as much or as little as you like in your report.
Making a report can be distressing and traumatic, please take care and if you need support you can contact:
– 13YARN: Call 13 92 76 or visit www.13yarn.org.au
– Lifeline: Call 13 11 14 or visit www.lifeline.org.au
You can make a complaint to the Australian Human Rights Commission. You can also have someone such as a solicitor, advocate or trade union make a complaint on your behalf.
Support Services
Brother to Brother
Call 1800 435 799
24/7 Crisis Line for Aboriginal men. The line is staffed by Aboriginal men and Elders who a lived experience of various issues.
Well Mob
Well Mob is a social, emotional and cultural wellbeing online platform.
13 YARN
Call 13 92 76
13YARN (Thirteen YARN) is the first national crisis support line for mob who are feeling overwhelmed or having difficulty coping. 13 YARN offers a confidential one-on-one yarning opportunity with a Lifeline-trained Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander Crisis Supporter who can provide crisis support 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
Booking and privacy
Booking and privacy
When you book for this event your personal information will be collected by Cessnock City Council for the purpose of booking your tickets, verifying your purchase, related administrative functions, and in accordance with Council's Privacy Management Plan and Privacy Statement which can be found on Council's website. Your information may also be collected by TicketSearch and you may wish to read their Privacy Policy.
For a full copy of our Privacy Statement visit our PACC and Privacy page.
Ticketing terms and conditions
Ticketing terms and conditions
We regret to advise that there are no refunds or exchanges as per the Live Performance Australia Ticketing Code of Practice. Should any performance be postponed due to intervening circumstances, you will have the option to transfer your ticket to the rescheduled performance or receive a full refund. Likewise, should any performance be cancelled due to intervening circumstances a full refund will be issued.
The Live Performance Australia Ticketing Code of Practice can be found here.
When
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Saturday, 24 August 2024 | 07:30 PM
- 08:45 PM